Magnetic Coupling for Wear-Free Roller Torque Transmission

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing printing units face challenges in compensating for the traversing stroke of rollers in a wear-free and low-maintenance manner, as existing solutions often rely on complex and vulnerable components that require frequent maintenance.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a magnetic bearing or magnetic coupling that allows for torque transmission and absorption of oscillating strokes without contact, utilizing an outer and inner rotor with alternating permanent magnets to transmit torque across an air gap, enabling a wear-free and maintenance-free operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional mechanical bearings or clutches are used to compensate for roller traversing stroke, then the roller can perform oscillating movement, but wear and maintenance requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveroller oscillating movementVSAvoidwear-free operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical contact-based bearing or clutch systems with a magnetic coupling system that uses magnetic fields to transmit torque. The magnetic coupling consists of a drive part with permanent magnets and a driven part with ferromagnetic material, allowing torque transmission without physical contact, thereby eliminating wear and maintenance while enabling roller oscillating movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic field acts as an intermediary between the drive part and driven part of the coupling. The permanent magnets in the drive part generate a magnetic field that interacts with the ferromagnetic material in the driven part, transmitting torque through this magnetic intermediary without requiring direct mechanical contact, thus preventing wear.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Power

If complex mechanical components are used to absorb oscillating strokes, then torque can be transmitted, but device complexity and vulnerability increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetorque transmissionVSAvoidcomponent simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent simplifies the device by replacing complex mechanical torque transmission components with a magnetic coupling system. The coupling comprises essentially two parts (drive part and driven part) that interact through magnetic fields, significantly reducing component count and complexity while maintaining effective torque transmission capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the essential function of torque transmission from complex mechanical assemblies and implements it through a simplified magnetic coupling system. By taking out only the necessary elements (permanent magnets and ferromagnetic material) and eliminating unnecessary mechanical intermediaries, the device complexity is reduced while vulnerability is minimized.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Power

If contact-based torque transmission is used, then torque can be transmitted effectively, but wear occurs requiring maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetorque transmission efficiencyVSAvoidmaintenance requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes contact-based mechanical torque transmission with non-contact magnetic field-based transmission. The permanent magnets in the drive part create a magnetic field that couples with the ferromagnetic material in the driven part, transmitting torque efficiently without physical contact, thereby eliminating wear and maintenance requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution effectively compensates for the oscillating stroke of rollers without wear or contact, simplifying assembly and reducing maintenance needs, while maintaining efficient torque transmission.

Implementation Method 1

a magnetic bearing or a magnetic coupling, by means of which torque can be transmitted, but the absorption of the oscillating stroke is possible

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic coupling: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

utilizing an outer and inner rotor with alternating permanent magnets to transmit torque across an air gap

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field interaction: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP2291288B1Device in a printing unit of a printing machine

Publication Date: 2011.10.05 KOENIG & BAUER AG

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a device in a printing unit (101) of a printing machine, at least comprising at least one roller (129) of an inking unit (105) or damping unit (106) of the printing unit (101), at least one traverse drive for generating an axial traversing stroke of the roller (129) and at least one drive means (302) for moving the roller (129) in a rotary manner. A magnetic coupling comprising an inner rotor (301) and an outer rotor (300) is arranged between the roller (129) and the drive means (302). In order to compensate the traversing stroke of the roller (129) provoked by the traverse drive, the inner rotor (301) and the outer rotor (300) are moved in relation to each other in the direction of the rotational axis of the roller (129).